Archery broadhead

ABSTRACT

The disclosure of the present invention relates to an archery broadhead or more specifically to an archery broadhead having a plurality of replaceable blades mounted against a plurality of flat support surfaces formed distally from the central axis of the broadhead ferrule. The blades having a cutting edge extending away from the ferrule and an inside surface mounting portion configured to mate with the outside surface of the ferrule and either mate flush against, or extended through, an adjacent one of the plurality of replaceable blades. The back surface portion of the blades configured to form a structural cage around the ferrule.

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/289,076 filed, Jan. 29, 2016. The disclosure therein incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure of the present invention relates to an archery broadhead or more specifically to an archery broadhead having a plurality of replaceable blades mounted against a plurality of flat surfaces formed distally from the central axis of the broadhead ferrule. The blades having a cutting edge extending away from the ferrule and an inside surface mounting portion configured to mate with the outside surface of the ferrule and either mate flush against, or extended through, an adjacent one of the plurality of replaceable blades. The back portion of the replaceable blades configured to form a structural cage around the ferrule.

A first embodiment of the present invention or archery broadhead comprises a central ferrule portion having a substantially conical or pyramidal point, a shaft portion and a threaded attachment portion. The point including a base portion having an under-cut blade retaining lip configured to secure the upper point of the plurality of blades at the junction where the cutting edge meets the back structural portion of the blades. The shaft portion having a plurality of flat surfaces configured to support the inside surface of the plurality of cutting blades. A blade base bushing is configured to slide over the threaded attachment portion of the ferrule and secure the bottom edge of the plurality of the broadhead blades within a plurality of slots formed in the upper surface of the blade bushing. The plurality of blades can be arranged on the broadhead by first inserting the point of the blades within the under-cut blade retaining lip, holding them securely against the flat surfaces, sliding the base blade bushing into place and screwing the threaded portion of the ferrule into a reciprocal arrow shaft insert. Once the threaded portion of the ferrule is fully threaded, and tightened against the shaft insert, the plurality of the blades are held securely in place.

For one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of flat surfaces on the ferrule shaft is three, in another embodiment, the plurality of flat surfaces on the ferrule shaft is four. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that the number of flat surfaces on the ferrule shaft may be more than four. One embodiment may have five flat surfaces or up to eight flat surfaces configured to receive mounted blades, however, it is recognized that greater number of full sized blades may ultimately reduce penetration and create a less effective broadhead.

One embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of the blades are configured forming a right triangle, having a vertical support edge, a horizontal base edge and a beveled cutting edge along the hypotenuse. The point of the blade triangle, where the vertical support edge and the hypotenuse meet, configured to be retained within an under-cut lip of the ferrule point. The horizontal base edge configured to be retained within the blade base bushing and the vertical support edge configured to mate up against the surface of an adjacent one of the plurality of broadhead cutting blades. In one embodiment, the plurality of blades are manufactured using a sheet material such as carbon steel and the triangular form of the blade is uninterrupted or the blade is solid, without any openings, or windows. In another embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated that windows may be cut into the plurality of cutting blades, in order to change of the overall weight of the broadhead or to encourage better flight characteristics and arrow accuracy.

In another embodiment of the present invention the plurality of the blades are configured having a main cutting blade formed as a triangle with an additional, smaller, bleeder blade that extends away from the vertical support edge of the main cutting blade. The main cutting blade having a window or a slot that will allow the bleeder blade portion of an adjacent blade to extend through the slot or window formed in the main blade. This configuration creates multiple cutting surfaces from a single blade element and transforms a three blade broadhead into a six blade broadhead, or a three blade broadhead having three smaller bleeder blades. In this configuration a ferrule having a four-sided, or square shaft, can be used to create four blade broadhead having four bleeder blades or eight total cutting blades. The interlocking blades or blades having bleeder blades that extend through a window or slot of the adjacent cutting blade creates a broadhead where the blades are more securely held in place and will also increase the columnar strength of the ferrule shaft and overall broadhead.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention or archery broadhead, the cutting blades can be a pair of interlocking blades that are bent at 90 degrees and essentially wrap around half of a four sided, or square, ferrule shaft. Each bent blade having a main blade including a main cutting blade forming essentially a right triangle and having a window or a slot configure to receive a smaller triangular bleeder blade from the reciprocal cutting blade. The point of the blades will be retained within an under-cut lip on the ferrule point and the blade base is retained with a blade base bushing that is held in place after the ferrule is screwed into a ferrule shaft insert. It is contemplated that the interlocking bent blades will form a more secure attachment and will additionally strengthen the ferrule shaft of the broadhead.

In one embodiment of the present invention it contemplated that the blade base bushing can be held in place prior to screwing the base portion of the ferrule into a shaft insert by using a temporary retainer, such as an O-ring pushed over the threaded portion and up against the blade base bushing. In yet another embodiment a threaded secondary collar or nut may be used to hold the base washer and ultimately the cutting blades in place during packaging and shipping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures, which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments.

FIG. 1A a perspective view of a three blade broadhead of the present invention,

FIG. 1B a top view of a three blade broadhead,

FIG. 1C a bottom view of a three blade broadhead,

FIG. 1D an exploded view of a three blade broadhead,

FIG. 2A a perspective view of a six blade broadhead of the present invention,

FIG. 2B a top view of a six blade broadhead,

FIG. 2C is a bottom view of a six blade broadhead,

FIG. 2D is an exploded view of a six blade broadhead,

FIG. 2E is top view of the blade configuration of a six blade broadhead,

FIG. 2F is a perspective view of the blade configuration of a six blade broadhead,

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a four blade broadhead of the present invention,

FIG. 3B is a top view a four blade broadhead,

FIG. 3C is a bottom view of a four blade broadhead,

FIG. 3D is an exploded view of a four blade broadhead,

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an eight blade broadhead of the present invention,

FIG. 4B is a top view of an eight blade broadhead,

FIG. 4C is a bottom view of an eight blade broadhead,

FIG. 4D is an exploded view of an eight blade broadhead,

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a folded blade broadhead of the present invention,

FIG. 5B is a top view of a folded blade broadhead,

FIG. 5C is a bottom view of a folded blade broadhead, and,

FIG. 5D is an exploded view of a folded blade broadhead.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the embodiments can be understood in light of the Figures which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments. In the Figures the physical dimensions of the embodiment may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals or word descriptions in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions may be omitted.

Definitions

Broadhead—an archery point having a triangular profile used primarily for hunting; the archery point having a point end and at least two primary blades that taper open or wider at the base end proximate the arrow shaft.

Bleeder Blade—a secondary blade that extends substantially perpendicular to the primary blade and in the present application is included in the total blade count when identifying various configurations of a broadhead.

Ferrule—support structure for the broadhead blade, the ferrule may include a threaded shaft configured to be screwed or twisted into a ferrule insert or the ferrule may have a conical receiver for traditional arrows.

Ferrule Insert—a threaded aluminum insert that is glued inside of a hollow arrow shaft and configured to receive the threaded shaft of the ferrule.

Arrow Shaft—the long cylindrical body of the arrow, typically shaped from a wood such as cedar and pine, or in modern arrows the shaft is aluminum, fiberglass, graphite, aramid or a composite.

These definitions are for general understanding of the application of the present invention and should not be construed as limitations on the application or to replace accepted definitions in the archery arts.

FIG. 1A to 5D illustrate the archery broadhead 100 of the present invention. The archery broadhead 100 comprising a central ferrule 110 including a first end having a point 115 or a substantially conical or pyramidal point having a base portion, the base portion having an under-cut blade retaining lip 112, the central ferrule 110 having a blade support portion 111, the blade support portion having a plurality of flat surfaces formed parallel with the central longitudinal axis of ferrule 110 and the flat surfaces are symmetrically spaced. The ferrule 110 also including a base portion having a threaded section 113 allowing the broadhead 110 to be attached into an arrow ferrule insert and a blade retaining bushing shoulder 114 formed just below the central portion 111.

Primary broadhead blades 120 are formed substantially as a base right triangle having a cutting edge 122 on the hypotenuse, a base edge 123 and a vertical spine edge 125. The primary blades 120 may include a cutout portion or window 124 used to modify the overall weight of the broadhead, improve flight characteristics, or to allow a secondary bleeder blade 128 to extend through the window 124 (see, FIGS. 2A-2F, 4A-4D and 5A-5D). Embodiments where primary blades 120 have a bleeder blade 128, the blade 120 includes a secondary cutting blade, or bleeder blade 128 extends away from the spine edge 125 of the primary blade 120. The bleeder blade 128 is by definition smaller than the primary blade 120 and is sized to fit through the window 124 or a slot formed in the surface of the primary blade 120.

As the broadhead 100 is assembled, the tip portion or retention point 121 of individual blades 120 is inserted under the blade retention lip 112, formed under the base of the ferrule point 115. The primary blades 120 are arranged with the inside flat surface of the blade 120 against one of the plurality of flat surfaces formed on the blade support portion 111 of ferrule 110 and the vertical spine edge 125 abutted up against the outside flat surface of the adjacent primary blade 120. As discussed above, in embodiment where a bleeder blade 128 is used, the bleeder blade 128 from a first blade will extend through a window 124 or slot formed in a second adjacent blade 120. In such an embodiment where a bleeder blade 128 is used, three primary blades 120 will result in the final assembled broadhead 100 having six total cutting blades, and where four primary blades are installed the broadhead will have eight total cutting blades.

Once cutting blades 120 are in place on the central ferrule 110 a blade bushing 130 having a central opening 131 is moved over the threaded portion 113 of the ferrule 110 and the cutting blades 120 are placed into a plurality of retention slots 132 formed in the blade bushing 130. The blade bushing 130 is stabilized on a support shoulder 114 formed to allow the central opening 131 of the bushing 130 to slide over securely with limited play or movement. Once broadhead 100 is assembled it may be screwed into a ferrule insert of an arrow which structurally secures the broadhead 100 into a rigid configuration.

Another embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the archery broadhead assembly 100 include the use of a folded primary blades 120 having bleeder blades 128 which are folded at an acute angle to the primary blades 120. The primary blades 120 including a retention point 121 which is inserted under the point retention lip 112 and blades are each placed on two of the plurality of flat support surfaces of blade support portion 111 with the folded bleeder blades 128 extending through a window 124 cut into an adjacent reciprocal blade 120. A blade bushing 130 is again used to secure the blade into place. An embodiment where two primary blades 120 having bleeder blades folded on a right angle are configured to mate with a central ferrule 120 having a four sided blade support portion 111 and creates a broadhead 100 having four cutting edges. It is contemplated that three folded primary blades 120 may be mated against a six-sided or hexagonal blade support portion 111 to create a broadhead 100 having six cutting edges or additional blades 120 may be added along with two flat blade support surfaces 111 per folded primary blade 120.

It is to be understood that the above mentioned arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications or alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. 

1. An archery broadhead comprising; a ferrule having, a point, the point having a point end and base, a blade retaining lip formed in the base of the point, a shaft having a plurality of flat blade support surfaces arranged symmetrically and concurrently around a central longitudinal axis of the ferrule, a threaded ferrule attachment base, a blade retaining bushing, a plurality of primary blades configured to be retained between the blade retaining lip and the blade retaining bushing, and, each of the primary blades having an inside surface secured flush against one of the plurality of blade support surfaces on the ferrule shaft.
 2. The archery broadhead of claim 1 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is three.
 3. The archery broadhead of claim 1 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is four.
 4. The archery broadhead of claim 1 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is greater than four.
 5. The archery broadhead of claim 1 wherein the blade retaining bushing includes a plurality of blade retention slots.
 6. An archery broadhead comprising; a ferrule having, a point, the point having a point end and base, a blade retaining lip formed in the base of the point, a shaft having a plurality of flat blade support surfaces arranged symmetrically and concurrently around a central longitudinal axis of the ferrule, a threaded ferrule attachment base, a blade retaining bushing, a plurality of planar primary blades configured to be retained between the blade retaining lip and the blade retaining bushing, the plurality of primary blades formed substantially as a right triangle having an inside surface, outside surface, cutting edge, a base edge and a vertical spine edge, the plurality of primary blades including a window cut through the planar surface, and, each of the primary blades having an inside surface secured flush against one of the plurality of blade support surfaces on the ferrule shaft and the vertical spine edge against the outside surface of an adjacent one of the plurality of primary blades.
 7. The archery broadhead of claim 6 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is three.
 8. The archery broadhead of claim 6 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is four.
 9. The archery broadhead of claim 6 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is greater than four.
 10. The archery broadhead of claim 6 wherein the blade retaining bushing includes a plurality of blade retention slots.
 11. The archery broadhead of claim 6 wherein the primary blades include a secondary bleeder blade extending away from the vertical spine edge in the same plane as the primary blade, and, the secondary bleeder blade configured to extend through the window of the adjacent one of the plurality of primary blades.
 12. An archery broadhead comprising; a ferrule having, a point, the point having a point end and base, a blade retaining lip formed in the base of the point, a shaft having a plurality of flat blade support surfaces arranged symmetrically and concurrently around a central longitudinal axis of the ferrule, a threaded ferrule attachment base, a blade retaining bushing, a plurality of planar primary blades configured to be retained between the blade retaining lip and the blade retaining bushing, the plurality of primary blades formed substantially as a right triangle having an inside surface, outside surface, cutting edge, a base edge and a vertical spine edge, the primary blades include secondary bleeder blade extending away from the vertical spine edge at an acute angle to the primary blades, the plurality of primary blades including a window cut through the planar surface, and, each of the primary blades having an inside surface secured flush against one of the plurality of blade support surfaces on the ferrule shaft, each of the secondary bleeder blades having an inside surface secured flush against and adjacent one of the plurality of blade support surfaces on the ferrule shaft, and, each of the secondary bleeder blades extending through the window of the adjacent one of the plurality of primary blades.
 13. The archery broadhead of claim 12 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is four.
 14. The archery broadhead of claim 12 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is six.
 15. The archery broadhead of claim 12 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is eight.
 16. An archery broadhead ferrule comprising; a point, a shaft having a plurality of flat blade support surfaces arranged symmetrically and concurrently around a central longitudinal axis of the ferrule, and, a threaded ferrule attachment base.
 17. The archery broadhead of claim 16 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is three.
 18. The archery broadhead of claim 16 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is four.
 19. The archery broadhead of claim 16 wherein the plurality of blade support surfaces is greater than four. 